I bought a hibiscus tree at Lowes. When I winter it and bring it inside (because I am from M.A.), will I be able to keep it small and topiary-like? I am in zone 6 with a lot of snow.

My question is: Will it grow tall and out of control?

I had reservations about buying it, because I don't like to throw plants out.

It's currently in a 10 inch container. I just bought a 14 inch clay pot for it. It is outside.

Thanks.

Hibiscus tree means Hibiscus syriacus? or H. rosa-sinensis? They are pretty different beasts, but remember hibiscus in general don't like to be trained in topiary shapes.

I have 3 topiary hibiscus. The oldest 2 are 6 years old and are in concrete urns in front of my Florida home. They have braided trunks. Since I keep them outside all year round I need to water them frequently throughout most of the year, except Nov. through Jan. Which is our "winter" here. I've found that every few months I need to trim to keep their shape and every few years I pull them out trim the roots and give them fresh soil. I fertilize with hibiscus fertilizer as needed.
Topiaries in general can be tricky, but I think they are well worth the effort. They need sun to bloom in my experience, so you must consider that. I hope this helps a little. I apologize for the pic, I tried to take it right now and the lighting isn't at a good time.

MySecretIslandGarden said: I have 3 topiary hibiscus. The oldest 2 are 6 years old and are in concrete urns in front of my Florida home. They have braided trunks. Since I keep them outside all year round I need to water them frequently throughout most of the year, except Nov. through Jan. Which is our "winter" here. I've found that every few months I need to trim to keep their shape and every few years I pull them out trim the roots and give them fresh soil. I fertilize with hibiscus fertilizer as needed.
Topiaries in general can be tricky, but I think they are well worth the effort. They need sun to bloom in my experience, so you must consider that. I hope this helps a little. I apologize for the pic, I tried to take it right now and the lighting isn't at a good time.

Hi, thanks for the information. I live in M.A. but I have a bright sunroom I can keep it in in the winter. I see yours didn't get too big in the time you've had it, which is great. I read online it could get 6 feet tall and began to worry.

Thanks for sharing the pic of your tree. Here is my tree I just bought from Lowes. 🙂

ElPolloDiablo said: Hibiscus tree means Hibiscus syriacus? or H. rosa-sinensis? They are pretty different beasts, but remember hibiscus in general don't like to be trained in topiary shapes.

Thanks, I am unsure. I think it's Hibiscus syriacus.

In the pic there are 2 different colors, so there was definitely some doctoring done by the grower. Since I'm in Florida and grow a variety of hibiscus I've had some different issues. If they have too much water or not enough water, like most plants, they are unhappy. The more sun and heat the more water they need. Since yours will be in a controlled environment, you'll have control over those aspects. But, indoor air will definitely pose a problem, so it will die without humidity. If it doesn't get enough sun you will have green leaves but no flowers. Pinching dead leaves and blooms is recommended because leaving them invites pests and the soil needs to be moist but not wet. Currently I have 15 different hibiscus, some that are well over 6 ft tall and I'm forever pruning them. I find the potted hibiscus much easier to manage. My 3 topiaries get a crew cut at least once a year to at least 6 inches smaller than I will let them grow to be and then frequently tweaking them. I have had hibiscus growing outside that I literally cut down to stems and they came back and grew to my roofline until I heavily pruned them back again. I realize I'm rambling a bit here. But these are things I learned while growing them.
I'm finding your experiment really interesting, so please keep me posted.

MySecretIslandGarden said: In the pic there are 2 different colors, so there was definitely some doctoring done by the grower. Since I'm in Florida and grow a variety of hibiscus I've had some different issues. If they have too much water or not enough water, like most plants, they are unhappy. The more sun and heat the more water they need. Since yours will be in a controlled environment, you'll have control over those aspects. But, indoor air will definitely pose a problem, so it will die without humidity. If it doesn't get enough sun you will have green leaves but no flowers. Pinching dead leaves and blooms is recommended because leaving them invites pests and the soil needs to be moist but not wet. Currently I have 15 different hibiscus, some that are well over 6 ft tall and I'm forever pruning them. I find the potted hibiscus much easier to manage. My 3 topiaries get a crew cut at least once a year to at least 6 inches smaller than I will let them grow to be and then frequently tweaking them. I have had hibiscus growing outside that I literally cut down to stems and they came back and grew to my roofline until I heavily pruned them back again. I realize I'm rambling a bit here. But these are things I learned while growing them.
I'm finding your experiment really interesting, so please keep me posted.

Wow! Thank you for posting. That was *really* helpful. I will definitely keep you posted.

I don't like to throw plants out - what if I get attached to it. I was worried it would get too tall, since I will have take it indoors, then I wouldn't know what to do with it - since I live in M.A.

Thanks again!

Anna

Whatsmyplant said: Thanks, I am unsure. I think it's Hibiscus syriacus.

Nice plant. I believe your plant are Hibiscus rosa sinensis. Not H syriacus.
H. syriacus do-not comes in yellow or red, they are only in pink shades, purple shades or white. Leaves not shiny, They are quite cold hardy.
H. rosa sinensis are tropical or at most subtropical. I think yours are from the 'El Capitolio' series, they came in yellowish, salmon and red. There are two variety used in that braided plant, they will fused in the end.
The good news is, El Capitolio are among the strong cultivars, not so fussy. The newer hybrids with huge leaves, blooms and with grey, bluish, brown or other fancy color seems to be bit fussy grower.

Don't worry about it getting too tall, just prune it back. I also hate to lose or kill anything, so as an experiment I took some of my prunings and stuck them in soil and they grow so much I have to give them away. Granted i live in Florida and the climate is meant for them here.
People buy bouquets of flowers knowing they will die, but enjoying them anyway. Enjoy your hibiscus for as long as you can and when you trim it stick the cuttings in soil and you may very well wind up with new little friends.